FORMER Coventry teacher Estelle Morris was today facing her first day as Tony Blair's new head of education.

Colleagues from her early days as a teacher at Coventry's Sidney Stringer School in the 70s and 80s and the beginnings of her political career at Warwick District Council say she has always shown the talent for the top post.

She has taken over from David Blunkett, who replaces Jack Straw as Home Secretary.

Ms Morris said that tackling teacher shortages was one of the major challenges.

She said: "One of the reasons we need extra teachers is that we are creating extra posts and it's one of the ironies that the more money we put into education, the more posts we create.

"I think we've got the best generation of teachers in this country that we've ever had."

Sidney Stringer head Brian Worrall said she was still fondly remembered.

He said: "She was a popular member of staff. She was strongly committed to improving the lives of those from more disadvantaged backgrounds."

Ms Morris says her job at the school in Hillfields was the ideal training ground for her ministerial responsibilities.

Cllr Peter Byrd, who knew her on Warwick District Council, said: "She was extremely effective."